A Stand-in Bride

Chapter 43

Zhan

“You haven’t been yourself today,” Yubin says. “Your facial expressions were off during your shoot this morning. Are you sure you’re fine to walk this show?”

I nod as I play with the hem of my robe. All day, my thoughts have been on Yibo’s words. Hearing him say that he felt trapped broke my heart. This situation isn’t ideal for either of us but I thought that… I thought he started to have feelings for me but now I’m not so sure.

When he took me to Hua Designs and then to Nie, I thought that was progress for us. Now I’m wondering if Cheng Xiao was right and he was only trying to do right by me. What Yibo considers the right thing to do isn’t the same as what his heart desires.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, trying my best to clear my mind and knowing I won’t be able to. I’m filled with heartache, shame and regret. Each time I think of the way I measured his body, the outfits I’ve been wearing around the house… damn it. Maybe I should’ve believed him that day I sat in his lap, when he told me that he’d never truly want me. I can get his body to react to me but he’ll never want me the way he wants Cheng Xiao. The memories of everything I’ve done and tried disgust me. I’ve never been this person. I’ve never forced my affection on anyone else, yet that’s exactly what I’ve been doing to Yibo. Hope made me courageous to the point that I sacrificed my dignity and what for?

“You’re not fine Zhan.” Yubin places a hand on my shoulder and looks at me with genuine concern in his eyes.

“Are you overwhelmed with work? Have I been scheduling too much in for you? Or is it something else… is it Mr. Wang? He’s given us complete control over your schedule with just a few caveats but you need to tell me if he’s pressuring you in private.”

I look into his eyes, unsure what to even say. It’s been a really long time since I wanted to rely on someone. The urge to ask him for a hug and cry until my heart stops aching nearly overwhelms me.

“I just didn’t sleep well,” I say eventually, dragging my gaze down as I undo the knot on my robe, letting it fall open. The designer should be in any minute now to dress me.

“Are you okay Zhan? I’m worried about you. Did Wang Yibo do something to you?”

I force a smile for him and shake my head. “We had an argument but that’s all it was. I suppose that’s just what marriage is like, right? It can’t always be perfect.”

Yubin starts to speak but is interrupted when the door opens. We both turn around, expecting the designer to walk in with the gown I’m supposed to wear but instead, it’s Yibo. He pauses when his eyes land on me, the bags underneath his eyes identical to mine.

Yibo’s eyes trail down to my exposed chest and pure rage settles in his eyes. He walks toward me and slips out of his jacket, his stride confident yet rushed. “Xiao Zhan,” he says, my name sounding like a warning as he wraps his jacket around my shoulders and pulls me toward him.

He glances at Yubin and grits his teeth. “Excuse us, please. I need a moment with my wife.”

Yubin looks at me and I nod. He hesitates for a moment but then he walks away, the door falling closed behind him.

“Zhan,” he repeats, his tone softer now. “What was that? Why are you… you’re half-naked in front of him. Is there something going on between you two?”

I look into his eyes, my heart heavy. I’ve loved him for as long as I can remember, yet even though I’m married to him, my sister is still standing between us. “Does it matter?”

His gaze hardens and he pulls me closer. “Of course it does. We promised each other fidelity when we got married Zhan.”

I put my arms around his shoulder, his jacket falling to the floor in the process, leaving me standing in front of him in nothing but an open robe. “I didn’t cheat on you Yibo. I’d never do that. I’m not that kind of person.”

He looks into my eyes as though he’s trying to ascertain my truthfulness. “Do you two have history?”

I look away and huff involuntarily. “Nothing like what you share with Cheng Xiao.”

His hands move around my waist and he tightens his grip. “Bunny,” he whispers, his forehead falling to mine. Yibo inhales shakily and my heart wavers. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I really am.”

I push away from him but he refuses to let me go. “Listen to me,” he pleads. “You’ve been ignoring my calls all day. I can’t take this baby. This is not what I want our marriage to be like, okay? Didn’t we promise to communicate? Our situation is already so unconventional… the last thing I want to do is complicate it any further. Listen to me, please.”

I nod at him. “Fine,” I whisper, uncertain anything he has to say will diminish my pain.

“She never should have come to our home and I never should’ve said what I did. I don’t feel trapped Zhan. Not with you. The situation is tricky and I feel like I’m either hurting Cheng Xiao or I’m hurting you. That’s all I meant. I didn’t for a single second mean that I feel trapped in this marriage with you, you hear me? I’ve never been happier Bunny. I just know that hurting Cheng Xiao will put additional strain on your relationship with her. I don’t want to be the reason you argue with your sister baby. I just… I just want you to be happy.”

I nod, unsure what to make of his words. “I get it, Yibo. I’m just not sure that it matters. What are we even doing?”

“You told me you want happiness of your own and I swear that I’ll try my best to give you that, if you’ll give me a chance. Will you Zhan? Will you give me a chance?”

My heart skips a beat as my eyes find his, nothing but sincerity in his gaze. “What does that mean Yibo?”

He cups my face, his thumb brushing over my lip gently. “It means that I want more than just your body. I want a chance to prove that I truly do want it all with you, the past be damned. I want a chance to win your heart,” he whispers. “Because with each passing day, you’re stealing a little bit more of mine.”